Widespread sanctions imposed by the United Nations against Iran have come back into force for the first time in a decade. This development follows unsuccessful nuclear negotiations that failed to yield a breakthrough. The sanctions, which target Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile activities, were reinstated on March 3, 2024, after Western nations activated the “snapback” mechanism under the 2015 nuclear accord.
The Iranian foreign ministry condemned the reactivation of these sanctions, describing them as “legally baseless and unjustifiable.” The ministry’s statement emphasized that “all countries must refrain from recognising this illegal situation.” Iran asserted its commitment to defending its national rights, warning that any actions aimed at undermining its sovereignty would prompt a “firm and appropriate response.”
The reinstatement of the sanctions concludes months of tense diplomacy aimed at reviving nuclear talks that have been stalled since June 2023. This standstill followed bombings of Iranian nuclear facilities by Israeli and US forces, further complicating the diplomatic landscape.
International Reactions and Future Diplomatic Efforts
In light of the renewed sanctions, foreign ministers from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany issued a joint statement expressing their intention to seek “a new diplomatic solution to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon.” They urged Tehran to refrain from any escalatory actions that could further destabilize the situation.
Despite the sanctions, Iran had permitted UN inspectors to return to its nuclear sites. However, President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the US offer for a temporary reprieve in exchange for the complete handover of its enriched uranium stockpile, labeling the proposal as unacceptable.
Efforts by Iran’s allies, particularly Russia and China, to postpone the sanctions until April 2024 did not gain sufficient support in the UN Security Council. The sanctions now in effect target companies, organizations, and individuals involved in Iran’s nuclear program or its ballistic missile development. This includes measures against those providing equipment, expertise, or funding for these activities.
The sanctions also impose an embargo on conventional weapons, prohibiting any sale or transfer of arms to Iran. Provisions will freeze the assets of individuals and entities associated with the Iranian nuclear program abroad, and any designated individuals may face travel bans to UN member states. Furthermore, member states will need to restrict access to banking and financial facilities that could support Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Violations of these sanctions could result in the freezing of assets globally.
Global Trade Implications and Compliance Challenges
The European Union is expected to reintroduce separate measures alongside the core global sanctions, aiming to inflict economic pain on Iran to compel compliance. Western nations remain concerned that Iran may eventually acquire nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran vehemently denies, asserting its right to develop nuclear capabilities for civilian purposes.
The United States has maintained its own sanctions since former President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018, which included prohibitions on other countries purchasing Iranian oil. The “snapback” process has reactivated UN resolutions, but practical enforcement requires member states to amend their laws accordingly. It remains unclear how the EU and the UK will approach this legislative requirement.
Despite the binding nature of UN Security Council resolutions, compliance will likely vary. Russia has already indicated that it considers the sanctions invalid and will not enforce them. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the sanctions revealed the West’s strategy of undermining constructive solutions at the UN and attempting to extract unilateral concessions from Tehran through pressure tactics.
Some countries, including China, continue to engage in trade with Iran, potentially complicating the sanctions’ effectiveness. China, which imports a substantial amount of oil from Iran, has not clarified its position on the renewed sanctions.
According to Clement Therme, an associate researcher at the International Institute for Iranian Studies, there are significant costs associated with circumventing sanctions. “There is a political cost, but also a financial and economic cost because financial transactions become more expensive,” Therme noted. Shipping companies, in particular, are expected to feel the impact of these renewed sanctions. He suggested that while a complete blockade is unlikely, businesses may experience rising costs as a result of the sanctions.
The situation remains fluid as nations navigate the implications of the reinstated sanctions and the future of diplomatic efforts regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
